HUNDREDS of worshippers with Jamaican roots celebrated the 46th anniversary of their homeland’s independence by raising the roof at a Birmingham church.

Members of Birmingham’s Association of Jamaican Nationals marked the day at St Michael’s Parish Church, in Handsworth, with a service dominated by young people who danced, sang, played muic and read poetry.

But in a sermon, Bishop Mike Wilson, of the Church of God of Prophecy in Nechells, warned the community had to “stop treating our young men as liabilities and more like assets”.

“Diamonds in the rough, they may be, but we must give our young men hope,” he said.

“Birmingham is the youngest city in Europe with more people under 30 than anywhere else. We must show our young people they are valuable.”

Association chairman Beverly Lindsay was awarded the Order of Distinction, one of Jamaica’s highest honours, for her service to the Jamaican community in Birmingham and Jamaica.

She said: “I am accepting this on behalf of the community, family and friends because I couldn’t have done any of this work without their support.”

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Bruce Golding said in a message that the current global economic crisis had severely affected the island.

Mr Golding said the world had changed since Jamaica first became independent in 1962 with “goodwill giving way to fierce market competition”.

Birmingham’s Deputy Lord Mayor Coun Mike Sharpe said: “The Jamaican people have enriched our city by working hard and sharing their skills. They have blessed us all.”

The service also included a Windrush presentation, marking the 60th anniversary of when the first Jamaican settlers sailed to Britain aboard the SS Empire Windrush.